Sample one-on-one check-in conversation notes

Regular One-on-one meetings are important to keep your team motivated and on track. While it is certainly vital to understand how these meetings should be conducted and structured, how meeting outcomes get recorded also has a huge impact.

What happens after the meeting is important because it reinforces accountability and commitment. Here is a quick example of what good and bad one-on-one summary notes look like.

Example 1 – no commitment and accountability

18 Nov 2014

Had a one-on-one meeting with Brad on 13 November.

Key summary items:

Discussed the upcoming project Brad is leading.

Gave Brad feedback about tardiness to team meetings.

Confirmed upcoming leave Brad has requested in Feb.

Reviewed performance goals, everything is on track.

Entered by Manager

Example 2 – clear commitment and accountability

13 Nov 2014

One-on-One meeting summary:

Discussed the upcoming project I’m leading. Lara suggested this is a great opportunity for me to develop my skills in project management, as per my development plan.

On track to meet all performance goals. Set myself a stretch target to exceed the current expectation by 15%.

Our performance management system includes an objective library to make setting goals easier. The library includes pre-written goals that can be modified based on the roles in your organisation and the strategic plan.